Happily ever after cancer

An Origin Story From Our Founder

One week after my 32nd birthday, I got the call that changed my life — the call that approximately 116,000 women get each year. The doctor on the other end of the phone explained that they had found cancer in my uterus. As I held the phone, I sat on my couch, stunned. My roommate was nearby, crying from the words that had just come through the phone. I immediately began thinking of others. I thought about how this diagnosis was going to affect everyone in my life. I pondered how to tell and comfort my family, my friends — how this would impact work and the community I had committed to serve. I remember the times in between doctor’s appointments were brutal. I had so many questions, most of which were answered by Google and TikTok.

Everyone celebrated things that just brought me grief. Losing my uterus because of cancer meant losing the ability to carry and birth the children I had dreamed of having since I was in pigtails playing with baby dolls. I needed support from those who had walked this road. I needed money to meet my needs. I needed less stress and more information. Happily Ever After Cancer was inspired by my own life and needs — to help those in the fight or in remission to have community and resources. Happily ever afters are not just for girlies in fairy tales. They are available for anyone and everyone. And cancer — as terrible as it is, and as much as it takes away — does not have to take away your happily ever after.

Be brave enough to dream of the life you want after cancer, and bold enough to get what you need while fighting it. I’m here to remind you that you are not alone — and that there is hope.

— Dani, Founder & Survivor